Cracker-hopper.



R. G. PRAKER.

CRAGKER HOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10, 1914.

1, 125,884, Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

p Ki AHHHMW l (J n ua nto-z MH'uumca THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHDTCLITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. C.

ROBERT C. PRAKER, OF ST. CLAIR, MICHIGAN.

CRACKER-HOPPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

Application filed February 10, 1914. Serial N 0. 817,894.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT PRAKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Clair, in the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in Cracker-Hoppers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to dispensing devices and more particularly tocracker hoppers.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple andefiicient device arranged to receive the crackers or similar articlesfrom a box and discharge the same onto an extension or tray where theymay be conveniently handled or removed with an ordinary scoop or thelike.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a device of thischaracter having a receptacle for the crackers discharged from acontainer and wherein the lid of the container is utilized to cover theextension or tray.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the followingdescription is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, whichforms a part of this application, and in which Figure l is a sideelevation showing the lid of the container in elevated position topermit the removal of the crackers or other articles from the extensiontray. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view.

In the specific embodiment of the invention as illustrated herein, thehopper com prises a base 1 preferably rectangular in form and risingtherefrom is a three-sided receptacle 2 having cleats or supportingledges 3 secured to the inner side of the sides l and so as to supportthe container 5. The receptacle 2 is mounted upon the rear end of thebase 1 and is devoid of any front, whereby the crackers are always freeto pass onto the tray or extension 6 which is constructed of a pair ofside pieces 7 secured to the inner side of the sides 4 and having theupper edge inclined from the top of the sides 4: of the forward end ofthe base 1. This tray or extension 6 is covered by the lid 8 of thecontainer 5 which may be held in elevated position so as to permit thedischarge of the crackers by a dog or pawl 9 pivoted to one of the sidepieces 7.

As shown, the container 5 is inverted upon the receptacle 2 andsupported within the same upon the cleats 3. The lid 8 of the containerrests upon the upper edge of the side pieces 7 and closes the tray 6until elevated by the dog or pawl 9, at which time the crackers may beremoved from the tray and placed in a bag or other receptacle by the useof an ordinary scoop.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, a container having a hinged lid,and a hopper therefor arranged to receive the container in invertedposition and comprising a three-sided receptacle, an open tray leadingfrom the receptacle at its open side, a common bottom for the receptacleand tray, the hinged lid of the container arranged to close the traywhen the container is mounted on the receptacle and means for holdingthe lid in open position to permit removal of the .articles from thetray.

2. A cracker hopper comprising a base, a receptacle mounted upon thebase and having an open side and top, inclined side pieces connected toand extending from the open side of the receptacle and forming a tray,supporting cleats upon the sides of the receptacle, in combination withan inverted container seated upon the supporting cleats, a hinged lid onthe container arranged to close the tray and means on one of the sidepieces for holding the lid in elevated position to permit the removal ofarticles from the tray.

In testimony whereof I aflix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT C. PRAKER.

Witnesses: G. E. WOLVIN, A. E. MANE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

